Chapter One: Hotel Paradiso

[BackworldTraveller]

Nalani & Reven
You note three people heading for the Pan-Africa Suite...Jinja Busai - The ex-Engineer from the Queen; A woman who could well be Raoul Pinto's Wife (the Navigator) and a child/young woman that was chatting to one of the people in the bar earlier - possibly Raoul's Daughter - but she's grown if it's her - mind you she was maybe 9 when you last saw her! They stop, Jinja kisses the woman and waves to the child before heading for the exit.

The woman heads towards the pair of you "Hi, I remember you two. Long time ago now. So you here for the news? I'm Archana - My daughter, Assana."

[BackworldTraveller]

Tiberius and Arnwulf
Tiberius is sort of half-listening to Arnwulf and half to the two Businessman, when a third appears.

New Arrival: Well, what are you two vultures doing here?
Businessman: Same as you Arn
New Arrival: To the barman With Chocolate please and to the men Well they'd be fools to take your terms
Businessman: Maybe
New Arrival: Well I'd advise them not to
Businessmen (as they all move off clutching drinks): That's your...

[The Bindoner]

Hi. Yes, i remember you. I am here for the meeting, as i have a share in the ship.

Ah! Then we have another thing in common. Shall we go in together?

The woman heads towards the pair of you "Hi, I remember you two. Long time ago now. So you here for the news? I'm Archana - My daughter, Assana."

Archana? Ah! Yes, Archana and Raoul, I remember. Nālani realises she might have put her foot in it, remembering the kiss, and hurries on: And Assana, you are grown so much!

News? Do you mean the shareholders meeting of the Queen? Yes, that is why we are here. Are you and Mr Busia here to reclaim the Queen or cash out?

[BackworldTraveller]

Archana? Ah! Yes, Archana and Raoul, I remember. Nālani realises she might have put her foot in it, remembering the kiss, and hurries on: And Assana, you are grown so much!

News? Do you mean the shareholders meeting of the Queen? Yes, that is why we are here. Are you and Mr Busia here to reclaim the Queen or cash out?

Ah yes, Raoul - Well, I'm Archana Busai now. Jinja and I got hitched just over two years ago. Raoul's out on a fuelling station somewhere with his "Younger Model".

We're here (Well I am, Jinja's got work) to see whether this will provide us some income for Assana's college or whether we cut and run.

You haven't seen Celisse's daughter, Ngora about have you? She's been pestering the Navy ever since her dad got jailed and she should be here to hear the announcement. It's been long enough coming. He was totally framed and this will be a start. Still, Hebden got what he deserved - lying through his teeth like that!

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Enters the suite with Arnwulf, scratching his beard. "Must be losing my touch. Greybeard indeed."

He heads to take a side aisle seat, a habit from preferring leg room over a window view on flights.

"Let's set the laptop up. Record notes on what is said. I expect a long agenda of legal formalities, resumes and general condition reports. Most folk here have some stake in the ship. Shareholders like me or previous investors, creditors. The recent chequered history caused it to be restrained by belter navy and various legal challenges and investigations ensued.

It might be the 'any other business' which drag the session out."

[BackworldTraveller]

Conference Room; Hotel Paradiso

[BackworldTraveller]

The pair that you thought looked like Noor and a friend are actually two Naval Officers from the SNF - Ones you vaguely recognise from the External Affairs Office. The other people in the room are ones you don't recognise. If Noor is coming, she isn't here yet.

[The Bindoner]

Ah yes, Raoul - Well, I'm Archana Busai now. Jinja and I got hitched just over two years ago. Raoul's out on a fuelling station somewhere with his "Younger Model".

Tcha! Shameful man.

Congratulations, though. Jinja is a dependable man,a good Engineer.

I have not seen Ngora since the trial. I hope she is here today.

Hebden.. the name is spat out as Nālani's face contorts to a sneer of disgust ..did not get what he deserved. He escaped into death too easily.

[BackworldTraveller]

Hebden.. the name is spat out as Nālani's face contorts to a sneer of disgust ..did not get what he deserved. He escaped into death too easily.

He didn't escape - He was killed in protective custody - Very embarrassing for the police!

Anyway - Shall we go through?

[BackworldTraveller]

Three Businessmen appear at the door, and come in. They introduce themselves.

Amadou Hawa and Moussa Mali of Cloud Bank - and holding proxy rights for Mr Suzu
and
Joey Sabbana, R. R. Sabbana representing Mr Cull's estate

[Monsieur Rose]

Noor

She glances around and sits. "Sorry about your bad news." Noor seems distracted and keeps looking around.

"It's been five years, right? You look...good." She hangs her head and sighs.

"I'm sorry." She raises her head and looks him in the eyes. "Are you here for the Queen meeting? Please say yes."

She looks around yet again and lowers her voice. "I'm in trouble, Pranit. Can I trust you? Why are you here?"

Noor is trying to read Pranit's face and tone to determine if he is being truthful.

[cybersavant]

Archana? Ah! Yes, Archana and Raoul, I remember. Nālani realises she might have put her foot in it, remembering the kiss, and hurries on: And Assana, you are grown so much!

News? Do you mean the shareholders meeting of the Queen? Yes, that is why we are here. Are you and Mr Busia here to reclaim the Queen or cash out?

Ah yes, Raoul - Well, I'm Archana Busai now. Jinja and I got hitched just over two years ago. Raoul's out on a fuelling station somewhere with his "Younger Model".

We're here (Well I am, Jinja's got work) to see whether this will provide us some income for Assana's college or whether we cut and run.

You haven't seen Celisse's daughter, Ngora about have you? She's been pestering the Navy ever since her dad got jailed and she should be here to hear the announcement. It's been long enough coming. He was totally framed and this will be a start. Still, Hebden got what he deserved - lying through his teeth like that!

Reven Stiilpahth

"Hello. It's been a while, but i remember." Reven listens to the two talk and stands, slightly to the side, almost a mirror of the kid, Assana.

[BackworldTraveller]

Reven

Assana looks at you and asks, Are you the postal guy from the queen? Are you going to find this meeting interesting?

[ateno]

>"I'm in trouble, Pranit. Can I trust you? Why are you here?"

>Noor is trying to read Pranit's face and tone to determine if he is being truthful.


"Um, Queen, no I don't know that meeting, sorry, I was here for a job interview as Chief Astrogator."

Pranit shifts in his chair.

"I do remember our time together and that your a bigwig in your government and there is something..."

Pranit's face pales.

"That's your family. Ashirvad. Are you being followed, yes I can help."

Pranit looks around the dining area, reaches into his bag and puts on long clunky gloves.


"What do you need?"

[Stirling]

Tiberius

Sits on an end seat, next to Arnwulf who is acting as his aide. He has an open laptop and comms in front of him and reads through the daily news and any handouts from the conference chairman.

He does not know anyone else except the absent Noor, only briefly sharing a table with the hungry college girl.

How he came to own his shares in the Queen of the Belt is down to a previous holder liquidating assets after the ship was apprehended for a base value. Those holding shares prior to the ship being held would have known who had what, though trading of shipshares is quite a regular occurrence on speculatory markets.

He greets people with a "Hello. Good morning," and prepares a few questions for the meeting.

[cybersavant]

Reven

Assana looks at you and asks, Are you the postal guy from the queen? Are you going to find this meeting interesting?

Reven Stiilpahth nods as the girl speaks. "Interesting - that will depend on the outcome."

[BackworldTraveller]

Assana: That is what I thought! If it's interesting for you its boring for me. Mum, can I go to the Plaza? Please.

Archana: This meeting is going to decide where you are going to college dear...but I guess you're still a bit young to be worrying about that. OK. But no trouble.

Assana: Brilliant - Thank You - I'll be good. Can I have some cash?

And being handed a Cr10 note, Assana leaves.

Archana: So - Reven wasn't it? - what have you been doing since you left the Queen?

[cybersavant]

Archana: So - Reven wasn't it? - what have you been doing since you left the Queen?

Reven Stiilpahth

"I did another term for the PLDES, on the Hermes. Pretty much the same thing."

[BackworldTraveller]

Archana to Reven: Ah well that's a shame dear. Still maybe this will afford something new.

And turning back to Nalani: Assana says the children think you have a real cat. How did you get one of those?

[The Bindoner]

Nālani stands quietly near Reven and Archana, fading into the background as much as a small patch of black can, observing the people in the room from behind her shades, which have switched back to apparent opacity ( having cleared for conversation ). Her fingers tap arrythmically on her thigh as her gaze moves from person to person.

When Archana speaks Nālani startles slightly, her attention was obviously elsewhere.

Nālani's face lights up in a genuine smile: Hoshiko is real, yes. The cards brought her to me. She is my good fortune, and I hers. A disreputable client had her and her prospects were poor, but luck was on our side.